Donohue Leaves Democrats With Grass-roots Message

April 01, 1992|By Ted Gregory.

When Michael Donohue finished his resignation speech at the Du Page County Democratic Party convention, he received a standing ovation from the 80 political loyalists crowded into a basement meeting room.

A few moments later, the group elected Elliot Spiegel to replace Donohue as county party chairman and to lead their usually beleaguered local effort for the next two years. The transfer of power was smooth, except that Spiegel was absent Monday night and was unable to receive the torch that Donohue was passing.

It`s been that kind of political ride for Donohue, 58, a stately, purposeful man with the resume and well-groomed, silver hair.

He was thought by many to be the man who would bring at least a few victories and recognition to the Du Page County Democratic Party when he was elected chairman in 1986. A former basketball star, teacher, principal and school superintendent, Donohue is a husband and father of five. He serves as executive director of a non-profit center that treats children with behavior disorders and helps adults with mental and emotional disabilities.

Donohue said he decided to step down because he had failed to reach the goals he set in accepting the job, and he departs with a record he described as mixed.

However, that kind of political frustration has been felt by other Democratic leaders in what has been called one of the most Republican counties in the nation.

``I think he`s a very capable man,`` said Donohue`s predecessor, William A. Redmond, echoing the sentiments of many who know Donohue. ``There`s no sense blaming him for anything because we haven`t done anything in many, many years.

``We`re short of money and short of people and short of everything else.``

Donohue said his problems stemmed from two factors.

``Although Du Page County has changed and grown significantly, it still is a wealthy county,`` Donohue said. ``People who are moving into the county are upper-middle class and so, their inclination is to go to the Republican Party.``

Also, he said, Democrats have failed to build a strong network of committeemen. The party has committeemen in only 77 of the county`s 663 precincts.

``The biggest disappointment that I`ve had and that we need to focus on is to build the party up from the grass-roots level,`` Donohue said.

Although Du Page is a county where Democrats seldom win a local election, it nevertheless produces the largest number of Democratic votes in statewide or national elections of any county except Cook.

The only Du Page Democrat holding local office is York Township Supervisor Mark D.Starkovich.

In 1990, Donohue received 80,149 votes in his bid for County Board chairman. The winner, Republican Aldo Botti, received 135,365 votes.

see themselves as independents.``

Success of the Du Page Democrats hinges on bringing more wealthy, prominent people into the party, fielding strong candidates and replacing the old guard with younger lions, Prinz said.

Spiegel, 50, of Lisle has worked on the campaign staffs of former Gov. Otto Kerner and former Chicago Aldermen Dick Simpson and William Singer. He is former chairman of the Lisle Township Democratic Party, and he has been working for two years on building stronger party roots in Naperville and Addison Townships.

He was on vacation at the time of the convention but in a statement said the party is ``at a crossroads.`` He said the party must convince the 63,000 county voters who took Democratic ballots in the March 17 primary ``that we are viable, and our candidates are the superior choice.``

His immediate goals include having 300 precinct committeemen in place by November.

Donohue said he will spend more time with his wife and new granddaughter, although he might help the local Democratic cause in the presidential campaign.

``I hope that I`ve helped convince people that they don`t have to be satisfied with the domination of one political party,`` Donohue said. ``I hope what I`ve done is laid the groundwork for Democratic victories in 1994 and beyond.``